HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) – The work of Still Serving Veterans, a non-profit group that helps transitioning soldiers and veterans, will now be supported by a new grant.

Still Serving Veterans has received a $598,000 grant from Call of Duty Endowment, a private, non-profit foundation that supports groups placing former service members into careers while raising awareness of the value veterans bring to the civilian workplace.

Call of Duty recognized SSV’s significant contributions to our veteran community. For example, last year SSV conducted more than 5,500 one-on-one professional counseling sessions with veterans.

“That netted for them – in new benefits, salaries and services – over $9.6 million in value that they wouldn’t have gotten if they didn’t have an advocate working for them,” explains Will Webb, President of Still Serving Veterans.

The grant comes five months after SSV was named one of the endowment’s inaugural “Seal of Distinction” award winners, an initiative launched to highlight nonprofit organizations proven to be the most effective and efficient at placing veterans into high-quality careers.

The grants are allowing for expansion across the state. Tuesday, Webb helped with a ribbon cutting at a pilot SSV satellite office in Phenix City, Al. Webb says growth won’t stop there.

“We will be expanding to several other sites in Alabama,” promises Webb. “This is an exciting time for Still Serving Veterans but also a time for us to leverage what we’ve been able to do to date and take it to more communities throughout the state.”

SSV is taking a measured approach to expansion – researching areas with most veteran need and business-friendly environments. SSV is looking closely at south Alabama and the Fort Rucker area near Dothan. Other areas of future interest would include Montgomery and the Birmingham area, Webb says.

Headquartered in Huntsville, SSV works with veterans and their families to help the transition from military life to careers. Since its founding in 2006, SSV has served more than 10,000 veterans and their families nationally. Since 2007, SSV has secured over $78 million in cumulative additional benefits, services, and salaries for their veteran clients.

LAC

Uno

LAC, I think Skillpot was referring to how much of the donated money makes it to the Vet. If awarded $500k and $498k go to administrative i.e.; salaries and other expenses, only $2k makes it to the VET.

Skillpot, I did a check on SSV, and since their contributions are under a certIain amount there is no record of the organizations finances that I could find on philanthropy websites.

LAC, also it’s not nice to call someone an idiot, especially when your last sentence needs some work.

LAC

Oh the grammer police. My point is that someone always jumps to the negative, especially a group that does great work. What difference does it make the whole 600k goes to the adminstration? If that 600k allows them to secure millions for veterans then what is the difference. If makes people feel better about themselves to point out that it cost money to run an organizations. Just leave it alone. Anyone who has worked with SSV know they go above and beyond to help any veteran in need….and it does cost money to do that.

Uno

LAC,
Neither Skillpot nor I said it was a bad organization. And yes I have used SSV, when it was mainly Bill and Mitch.
An organization that relies on contributions should have transparency. Have you ever heard of Paralyzed Veterans of America. If not, go to charity navigator and do a check. He has a million dollar salary and less than $.25 went to the paralyzed Vets, so yes it does matter. He even appeared before congress, what he was doing was legal, but morally wrong.
Also there are other organizations that provide the similar services. The DAV provides RSO services and help with the paperwork as does the VFW, I am not sure about the American Legion.
As for the jobs that were sent out, they were the same that were sent out by St. Joseph’s job networking club and jobs that were pulled from Militay Hire.com and USA jobs.
Again I am not saying anything negative, but there needs to be a check and balance.